HOUSTON -- The Astros wiped another arbitration-eligible player off their "to sign" list when they inked closer Brad Lidge to a one-year deal worth $5.35 million on Tuesday. The deal also includes an incentives package.

Lidge receives a raise of $1.375 million, up from his salary of $3.975 million in 2006.

The 30-year-old Lidge was 1-5 with a 5.28 ERA and 32 saves in 38 opportunities over 78 games for the Astros in 2006. He ranked second in the Major Leagues with 104 strikeouts, and he's the first relief pitcher to strike out 100 or more in three consecutive years since Eric Gagne did so from 2002-04.

However, Lidge endured his share of struggles in '06 and twice lost his closer's role to Dan Wheeler, who was recently signed and will be available to step into the ninth-inning role if need be.

"We are very pleased to have Brad signed prior to the exchange of arbitration figures," general manager Tim Purpura said. "We are looking forward to a great 2007 season with him as our closer once again. Brad is one of the leaders of our team, and we are expecting great results from him this season."

The Astros have signed six arbitration-eligible players and have three more to go: shortstop Adam Everett, outfielder Jason Lane and third baseman Morgan Ensberg. The Astros exchanged salary figures with the three unsigned players on Tuesday. The club offered Everett $2.5 million, with his counteroffer totalling $3.4 million. Lane offered a figure of $1.375 million, with the club countering with $900,000. Ensberg asked for $4.9 million, while the club offered $4 million.

Purpura is confident that the club will be able to avoid going to a hearing with any of the three players.

"We've had good dialogue with all of the three remaining players," Purpura said. "We had strong offers on the table. We'll evaluate at this stage and go from there. Nothing has occurred that would lead me to believe we'll have a large problem."

Arbitration hearings begin in February for those players unable to come to terms of a contract without third-party assistance.